Analyzing Word Choice, Tone, and Author's Purpose in 'The Crab That Played with the Sea'

Which is the best definition of the word tone?

• he reason an author writes a text
• words that describe characters' emotions
• vivid language that describes sensory experience
• the author’s attitude toward the subject matter and audience

Imagery and repetition are aspects of:

• formality.
• purpose.
• tone.
• word choice

What is the best definition of the term imagery?

• llustrations that accompany a text
• mental pictures evoked by language
• vivid language that appeals to the senses
• physical descriptions of settings and characters

Ah!’ said the Eldest Magician. ‘Now I know who has been playing with the Sea;’ and he called out, ‘What are you doing, Pau Amma?’ And Pau Amma, deep down below, answered, ‘Once a day and once a night I go out to look for my food. Once a day and once a night I return. Leave me alone.’ Then the Eldest Magician said, ‘Listen, Pau Amma. When you go out from your cave the waters of the Sea pour down into Pusat Tasek, and all the beaches of all the islands are left bare, and the little fish die, and Raja Moyang Kaban, the King of the Elephants, his legs are made muddy. When you come back and sit in Pusat Tasek, the waters of the Sea rise, and half the little islands are drowned, and the Man’s house is flooded, and Raja Abdullah, the King of the Crocodiles, his mouth is filled with the salt water.’ How do the words bring meaning?

• They describe how Pau Amma plays.
• They describe how the animals play.
• They describe Pau Amma’s impact on the sea and the animals.
• They describe the tasks the Eldest Magician gives to the animals.

Now, while the two were talking together, Pau Amma the Crab, who was next in the game, scuttled off sideways and stepped into the sea, saying to himself, ‘I will play my play alone in the deep waters, and I will never be obedient to this son of Adam.’ The underlined words are an example of

• character
• imagery.
• repetition.
• tone.

But towards evening, when people and things grow restless and tired, there came up the Man (With his own little girl-daughter?)—Yes, with his own best beloved little girl-daughter sitting upon his shoulder, and he said, ‘What is this play, Eldest Magician?’ And the Eldest Magician said, ‘Ho, Son of Adam, this is the play of the Very Beginning; but you are too wise for this play.’ And the Man saluted and said, ‘Yes, I am too wise for this play; but see that you make all the Animals obedient to me.’ What is the tone of this passage?

• dark and suspenseful
• respectful and admiring
• light and affectionate
• serious and academic

How does the author's choice to have the 'little girl-daughter' solve the mystery affect the story's message?

• It shows that adults are always wiser than children
• It suggests that children can be observant and valuable contributors
• It demonstrates that magic is more powerful than intelligence
• It proves that only girls can solve difficult problems

‘You are lazy,’ said the Eldest Magician. ‘So your children shall be lazy. They shall be the laziest people in the world. They shall be called the Malazy—the lazy people;’ and he held up his finger to the Moon and said, ‘O Fisherman, here is the Man too lazy to row home. Pull his canoe home with your line, Fisherman.’" How does repetition affect the narrator's tone?

• Repetition of the word lazy makes the tone angry.
• Repetition of the word lazy makes the tone humorous.
• Repetition of the word Fisherman makes the tone playful.
• Repetition of the word Fisherman makes the tone serious.

Before the High and Far-Off Times, O my Best Beloved, came the Time of the Very Beginnings; and that was in the days when the Eldest Magician was getting Things ready. First he got the Earth ready; then he got the Sea ready; and then he told all the Animals that they could come out and play. And the Animals said, ‘O Eldest Magician, what shall we play at?’ and he said, ‘I will show you. He took the Elephant—All-the-Elephant-there-was—and said, ‘Play at being an Elephant,’ and All-the-Elephant-there-was played. He took the Beaver—All-the-Beaver-there-was—and said, ‘Play at being a Beaver,’ and All-the Beaver-there-was played. He took the Cow—All-the-Cow-there-was—and said, ‘Play at being a Cow,’ and All-the-Cow-there-was played. He took the Turtle—All-the-Turtle-there-was—and said, ‘Play at being a Turtle,’ and All-the-Turtle-there-was played. One by one he took all the beasts and birds and fishes and told them what to play at. Based on the details in the excerpt, what is its primary purpose?

• to inform
• to describe
• to persuade
• to entertain

And the Eldest Magician said, ‘Ho, Son of Adam, this is the play of the Very Beginning; but you are too wise for this play.’ And the Man saluted and said, ‘Yes, I am too wise for this play; but see that you make all the Animals obedient to me.’ Now, while the two were talking together, Pau Amma the Crab, who was next in the game, scuttled off sideways and stepped into the sea, saying to himself, ‘I will play my play alone in the deep waters, and I will never be obedient to this son of Adam.’ Nobody saw him go away except the little girl-daughter where she leaned on the Man’s shoulder. And the play went on till there were no more Animals left without orders; and the Eldest Magician wiped the fine dust off his hands and walked about the world to see how the Animals were playing. Which conclusion about Pau Amma does this excerpt support? .

• He likes swimming.
• He highly respects everyone.
• He likes to follow his own path.
• He enjoys spending time with other animals.